NSW Blues look to continue dominance in Matador Cup

NSW coach Trent Johnston has warned the Blues will continue with their all guns blazing approach to the Matador Cup by continuing to play spearhead quick and the competition's leader wicket-taker Mitchell Starc.

In three matches Starc has taken 14 wickets at the remarkable average of 5.35. Hauls of 6/25, 4/27 and 4/23 have reinforced Starc's reputation with the white ball.

In fine form: NSW bowler Mitchell Starc has enjoyed a great start to the Matador Cup. Photo: Getty Images

On Saturday against Western Australia it was first-game century maker Cameron Bancroft (5), Mitch Marsh for a golden duck and Adam Voges (2). Two days earlier, South Australian captain Travis Head went from hero to zero after being bowled first ball by Starc before the left-armer also snared the wicket of Callum Ferguson.

With his batsmen also firing, Johnston said the Blues would "absolutely" keep their foot on the throat when they take on Tasmania at Hurstville Oval on Monday.

"
We're not taking any game lightly by any stretch of the imagination," Johnston said. "Smitty [Steve Smith] has rammed that message into the guys that we can't sit back and be comfortable where we are the moment.

"
Mitch wants to play every game that he's available for NSW. We had a good chat about that last night after the game. He's extremely keen to do well in this tournament, for himself and for his teammates. I don't think any cricketer in the sort of form he's in wants to be rested.

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"
If they [teams] are not aware of it [Starc's intimidating form], they need to watch our last three games because he's been pretty awesome."

Johnston said Josh Hazlewood, who is still building his bowling workload, would be available for NSW sooner than later, creating a dilemma at the selection table as to which bowler should be omitted.

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Meanwhile, Ed Cowan's impressive century in the Blues' 75-run win over Western Australia on Saturday prompted Johnston to say he could be in the running for a Test recall provided he builds on his most recent outing.

"For me, if he keeps peeling off runs like that, there's certainly no reason why he can't get that baggy green back on," Johnston said. "
In his previous innings, he's played one false shot and got out. He was pretty adamant that it was going to be a grind it out sort of wicket [on Saturday] and he did that."

The only Blues batsman yet to make a score this tournament is Shane Watson, whose returns of 13 and 12 have, in hindsight, mattered little, given the Blues' dominance over their opening three games.

Johnston backed Watson to get back in the runs and revealed just what happened when Watson was bowled by an Adam Zampa full toss on Thursday.

"Hopefully he [Watson] doesn't mind me saying this, but he said he might have been beaten by a little bit of pace," Johnston said of the bizarre dismissal. "It's something that happens every now and then. He's sort of laughed it off and thought: 'Well, I've got to go and work harder'.

"He's a world-class player so to have him in our team is certainly an advantage to us and it worries other teams. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes bang bang with a couple of hundreds in the next few games."

It has been a smooth transition for Johnston into his new role as head coach of the Blues, but the former Ireland international admitted it was more the players' doing than any magic coaching formula he has imparted on the squad.

"
You don't have to do much; put a few cones out and warm a few batters and bowlers up and away they go," he said. "They're a great bunch of guys to coach. We've started very well and we need to make sure we continue that."